On Wednesday, February 27, the James Beard Foundation revealed its list of semifinalists for the 29th annual James Beard Awards. In both the Outstanding Baker and Outstanding Pastry Chef categories, 20 semifinalists have been chosen.
To qualify as an Outstanding Baker or Pastry Chef, individuals must prepare breads, pastries, or desserts in a retail bakery (for bakers) or restaurant (for pastry chefs) setting, serve as a national standard-bearer of excellence, and must have been a baker or pastry chef for at least five years.
The winners of the 2019 James Beard Foundation Awards will be announced at the James Beard Awards Gala, which takes place on Monday, May 6, 2019 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
2019 Semifinalists for Outstanding Baker
- Umber Ahmad, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, NYC
- Kim Boyce, Bakeshop, Portland, OR
- Andy Clark, Moxie Bread Co., Louisville, CO
- Evrim Dogu and Evin Dogu, Sub Rosa Bakery, Richmond, VA
- Tova du Plessis, Essen Bakery, Philadelphia
- Zachary Golper, Bien Cuit, NYC
- Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, Tucson, AZ
- Naomi Harris, Madruga Bakery, Coral Gables, FL
- Stephanie Hart, Brown Sugar Bakery, Chicago
- Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery and Café, Cambridge, MA
- Lisa Ludwinski, Sister Pie, Detroit
- Greg Mindel, Neighbor Bakehouse, San Francisco
- Taylor Petrehn, 1900 Barker, Lawrence, KS
- Alison Pray, Standard Baking Co., Portland, ME
- Nathaniel Reid, Nathaniel Reid Bakery, Kirkwood, MO
- Avery Ruzicka, Manresa Bread, Los Gatos, CA
- Kit Schumann and Jesse Schumann, Sea Wolf Bakers, Seattle
- Debbie Swenerton, Black Bear Bread Co., Grayton Beach, FL
- Greg Wade, Publican Quality Bread, Chicago
- Chris Wilkins, Root Baking Co., Atlanta
2019 Semifinalists for Outstanding Pastry Chef
- Jeb Breakell, The Wolf’s Tailor, Denver
- Ashley Capps, Buxton Hall, Asheville, NC
- Juan Contreras, Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
- Kelly Fields, Willa Jean, New Orleans
- Meg Galus, Boka, Chicago
- Megan Garrelts, Rye, Leawood, KS
- Zoe Kanan, Simon & the Whale, NYC
- Michelle Karr-Ueoka, MW Restaurant, Honolulu
- Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles
- James Matty, Suraya, Philadelphia
- Junko Mine, Cafe Juanita, Kirkland, WA
- Diane Moua, Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
- Pichet Ong, Brothers and Sisters, Washington, D.C.
- Natasha Pickowicz, Flora Bar, NYC
- Michelle Polzine, 20th Century Café, San Francisco
- Rabii Saber, Four Seasons Resort, Orlando, FL
- Ricardo “Ricchi” Sanchez, Bullion, Dallas
- Laura Sawicki, Launderette, Austin
- Whang Suh, Hen & Heifer, Guilford, CT
- Cynthia Wong, Life Raft Treats, Charleston, SC
